Poll Reveals Financial Help Preferences

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The August poll hosted on the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) website revealed that when consumers are in financial distress, they prefer reaching out to a qualified professional for help as opposed to other options.

Most poll respondents, 45 percent, indicated they would contact a certified financial professional, while fewer would utilize online education, a financial self-help tool, or attend a financial workshop. 

Regardless of which option someone selects, the important thing is to take that first step, because financial distresses rarely resolve themselves. Consumers should choose the course of action that is right for them, as the path to finding the appropriate solution can be as varied as the financial concern itself.

Examples of options offered by NFCC Member Agencies include:

  • One-on-one financial reviews either in-person, by phone or online with one of more than 2,200 NFCC Certified Financial Professionals (NCFP). The NCFP designation is earned only after successfully completing testing on six modules related to credit and personal finance. Whether the financial concerns involve creating a workable budget, understanding credit, or getting out of debt, an NFCC Certified Financial Professional can help.
  • Dozens of NFCC Member Agencies offer online education courses through webinars, podcasts, videos and printed materials.  Topics include the basics of banking, building wealth, buying a home, identity theft protection tips and holiday planning.
  •  MyMoneyCheckUp, the NFCC’s free financial self-assessment tool, is available at www.MyMoneyCheckUp.org or on the NFCC website at www.DebtAdvice.org. After answering simple questions related to topics such as budgeting and credit management, saving and investing, planning for retirement, and managing home equity, the tool evaluates the results and provides suggestions for improvement if necessary. The tool is also available in Spanish at www.miayudafinanciera.org/.
  • Group workshops are offered at NFCC Member Agency locations, at community events or on-site for employees of local companies. If interested in finding an upcoming workshop in your area, or to schedule a presenter, search online at www.DebtAdvice.org for an agency near you. 

People who seek solid financial answers and solutions to their financial concerns would be well-served by reaching out to an NFCC Member Agency for any of the above services. To be automatically connected to the agency closest to you, dial (800) 388-2227, or go online to www.DebtAdvice.org. For assistance in Spanish, call (800) 682-9832. 

The actual August poll question and answer results are below:

Q:  If I were having financial trouble, for help resolving it I would most likely

  • Reach out to a certified financial professional = 45%
  • Attend a group workshop related to my concern = 3%
  • Take advantage of online resources related to my concern = 35%
  • Utilize a financial self-assessment tool to help pinpoint the problem = 17%

The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC), founded in 1951, is the nation’s largest and longest serving network of nonprofit, community-based credit counseling agencies. The NFCC’s mission is to promote the national agenda for financially responsible behavior, and build capacity for its members to deliver the highest-quality financial education and counseling services. NFCC Members annually help millions of consumers through more than 600 community-based offices nationwide. For free and affordable confidential advice through a reputable NFCC Member, call (800) 388-2227, (en Español (800) 682-9832) or visit www.nfcc.org. Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/NFCCDebtAdvice, on Twitter: twitter.com/NFCCDebtAdvice, on YouTube: www.YouTube.com/NFCC09 and our blog: http://financialeducation.nfcc.org/.

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